During the early Christian era on Resurrection Sunday you would hear this greeting:
“Alleluia, He is Risen!”
“Alleluia, He is Risen Indeed!”
This greeting has been revived during the last 100 years. I’m sure you have heard the greeting many times through the years on Easter Sunday Morning. This greeting makes me want to sing the great hymn written and composed by Robert Lowry in 1874, Christ Arose!
When we sing the song, notice the two different moods of the song. This was intentional by Lowery. The verses are to be slower and in a more somber mood. The chorus is to sung with enthusiasm and praise! Lowry says that this hymn was born out of his devotions. He was reading Luke 24:6-8 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.
Robert began to picture in his mind the events of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Before he realized it, he was at his little pump organ in his house writing and composing “Christ Arose”. It happened almost spontaneously. In fact most of his hymns happened just that way. He spoke of his method for hymn writing saying that he has no set method. When the mood strikes him, no matter where he is he begins to write the song. He says his brain starts spinning and wont shut off. The music is constantly running in his head.

On this Easter week what is running through your head? Galatians 5:16 says, “Live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of your sinful nature.”
Proverbs 4:20 tells us to “Guard your heart”. Some how our brains are connected to our hearts. I don’t mean your physical blood pumping heart. I mean you Spiritual Heart. What we think about directly effects our actions. If we focus on the things of God then this will bring about good actions in our life. If we focus on the world then we will be drawn away from God. There is a video on youtube that expresses this so very well. It is called “Everything” by Lifehouse Church. It starts with Jesus and a girl enjoying God’s creation. As she gets older the things of the world begin to draw her away from Jesus. He tries to get her to come back to Him but she is too distracted by the world. Soon the world has control of her mind and actions. Just before she tries to commit suicide she realizes what has happened and she tries to reach for Jesus. The things of the world are holding her back. Then Jesus steps in and sets her free. Watch the video. It is awesome!
What kind of things in this world are keeping you captive? This would be a great week for you to let Jesus set you free!